Humans since 1982

Artists since 2008. Humans since 1982. Per Emanuelsson (Sweden) and Bastian Bischoff (Germany) met whilst studying at HDK (The School of Design and Crafts at the University of Gothenburg). Emanuelsson went on to complete a Master of Science at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm whilst Bischoff went on to study for a BA in Communication Design at HTWG in Konstanz, Germany. They eventually founded the Humans since 1982 studio in Stockholm in 2008 and their projects have been receiving international attention ever since.

“Fascinating ideas seem to like not being detected. That's why they are fascinating. And they seem to hide on the edges of man-made realms. Find those ideas by mixing physics with fashion, art with medicine, technology with philosophy, cosmetics with astronautics, food with architecture, religion with humour..."

Inhabiting a curious space between design and art. Part design object and part art statement, perhaps. Regardless, we love the fascinating ideas of Per Emanuelsson and Bastian Bischoff.

Follow the link to see a selection of our favorite works by Humans since 1982.

The debut project by Humans since 1982, The Surveillance Light, was initially shown at the Stockholm Furniture Fair in 2008. It was well received not only by the design and art press but also by a variety of political blogs and magazines, and almost immediately led to a relationship with the Brussels based gallery Victor Hunt.

During their graduation thesis in 2009 the pair developed two further projects, Celebrating The Cross and The Clock Clock. Whilst the former was perceived rather ambiguously and polarized the opinions of journalists and readers from religious and political blogs, the latter received a unanimously positive reaction. Their thesis went on to receive the prize for the best graduation work at HDK and entered into Wallpaper magazine´s Graduation Directory. Celebrating The Cross went on to be nominated by Li Edelkoort for Designhuis’ European Talent and The Clock Clock found its way into the Saatchi Gallery in London where Per & Bastian’s cooperation with auction house and gallery Phillips de Pury began. In the same year Humans since 1982 developed commissioned work for institutions and corporations such as The Sacred World Foundation in New Delhi and The Purple House in Seoul.

Since 2011 the studio have been busy taking part in group shows at Villa Empainat (Boghossian Foundation) in Brussels, EcoDesign Habitare in Helsinki, International Design+Architecture Film Festival in St. Petersburg, Triennale Design Museum in Milan and Musée International D´Horlogerie in Switzerland as well as creating commissioned work for The Royal London Hospital, UK. Last year saw 21c Museum Hotel in Louisville, USA add The Clock Clock to their permanent collection.

2012 has been equally busy for Humans since 1982, with a solo exhibition at Clarion Hotel Stockholm followed by followup solo shows at Victor Hunt Brussels and Design Miami Basel. Most recently their project portfolio traveled to a group show at the Phillips de Pury flagship gallery in Manhattan.

The Clock Clock White, 2011 - Handmade LImited Edition time piece.